Page 3211 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 11 September 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
The committee's contribution to that process has been valuable because it documents, to some extent, why it is important to move in that direction. The ACT Labor Government will be cooperating very closely with the three States that are now parties to that eastern States reform proposal. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last weekend the Labor Lawyers Conference held in Adelaide; but at that forum the Queensland Attorney-General, Dean Wells, was urging upon his colleagues in other Labor States that they join this process and that we go not just to eastern States uniformity, which is so crucial to Canberra because we are an island within that forum, but also to uniformity in Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
We would then be in the ideal position of having national uniformity on defamation laws, so that a person who is contemplating publishing in either the print or electronic media can get advice from counsel or a solicitor in his or her jurisdiction and be confident that the advice in relation to a proposed publication would hold true across Australia. It is absurd that we are in a position where a paragraph can be perfectly lawful when published in one State but give rise potentially to a massive damages action when published in another State. That is a nineteenth century anachronism that we would be well rid of, and this Labor Government is determined to ensure that that uniformity is achieved.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
FILMING OF PROCEEDINGS
MR SPEAKER: Before we proceed, I would like to reply to a question asked of me by the Chief Minister about televising budget speeches. I do not believe that it is proper for me to name particular members who agree or disagree with the proposal put by me to them. My practice has been to obtain the agreement of party leaders for matters such as televising in the chamber. This task is undertaken for the smooth functioning of the parliament. However, when agreement is not reached, as on this occasion, it is up to members to give notice of a motion to resolve the issue of proceedings in the Assembly being recorded.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion (by Mr Berry) agreed to:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Assembly adjourned at 4.00 pm
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .